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Hardy Caprio says linking ‘black’ music to street violence is not that simple (Picture: Retna/Avalon.red)

London rapper Hardy Caprio has said that it is easy for critics to comment on the alleged impact rap music has had on the city’s street violence because they are looking in from ‘a distance’ and haven’t tried to ‘understand.’

The 22-year-old, who performed at Wireless Festival last weekend, added that being black and a successful artist invited to the mainstream festival was nothing more than a ‘pipe dream’ for him.

Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk about the blame rap music has been receiving for the increase in street crimes in the capital, the musician said: ‘I feel like there are so many nuances to discuss it and even in this interview I don’t think I can touch the surface.’

Hardy has been enjoying his success (Picture: WENN.com)

Over the past year knife crime in England and Wales has soared by 22 per cent with almost 40,000 knife-related offences committed in 2017.

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According to The Office for National Statistics (ONS) gun crime also saw an increase of 11 per cent in 2017, with 6,604 offences recorded in the past year.

But the hitmaker, who recently released his high-energy music video for Best Life with One Acen, believes it’s not that simple – and that blaming rappers is not the solution.

He told us: ‘If you are in London, or if you live in London – or even just from an estate or working class – you will know that it is not that straightforward.

‘But I feel like when you are looking from a distance it is very easy to comment or criticise but it just takes understanding. And some people haven’t tried to understand and will never know.’

Hardy also discussed his growth and moving into a fusion of genres. But when we asked him if he minded being labelled as a grime artist when he doesn’t solely make music in that genre, he wasn’t all too fussed.

‘I think I am whatever you call me,’ he said. ‘I would just say that I am a London artist but whatever you call me. I guess there must be a reason.’

Speaking of his journey musically he added: ‘So it’s just been a lot of growth and getting to know myself as well because when I started, let’s say I was a grime artist, and now I really just make music that I like.’

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